Page 25 of Manors & Mischief

Trav stops and grips my shoulders. “Dude, you’ve been through it. There’s no denying that. Instead of thinking about Ember as the problem, why don’t you try to figure out what you could do? She bought the house. There’s nothing you can do about that. Maybe you could work with her on something? Maybe she would sell you the land? From what I can tell, she’s a genuine person. If you just explain⁠—.”

“You’ve seen her like two times.”

“Yeah, but she hired you, so I trust her character.” His signature grin reaches his eyes.

“To be fair, my mother forced me on her.”

“How do you think we became friends?”

“Oh, fuck off.”

Trav’s eyes nearly twinkle, and then we continue toward the stack of logs together. Townspeople have already started to gather around. My gaze flicks over the crowd. I tell myself it’s because I want to see who’s here—my mom will want to know—but when I spot Ember and Bea walking toward the bonfire together, I stop looking and watch.

A long sleeve shirt hugs her torso with a plaid scarf swung around her neck. Something I doubt she ever wore where she’s from, unless she really is as obsessed with fall as she makes out to be. Every time I go into the house, there’s a new fall decoration. Yesterday, there was purple and orange garland twisting along the fireplace, which should’ve looked cheap, but she placed black flowers throughout, and to be honest, it looked good. She has an eye for decorating, that’s for sure.

Other townsfolk greet her and Bea as they get closer. She waves and says hi in a soft, genuine tone. She really seems to fit right in, and yet, I still can’t look at her without feeling hurt. Betrayed, even.

Maybe it’s because she does fit right in that makes it worse. If the person who bought it showed up in a suit and tie and didn’t mix with the locals, I could hold on to my anger, but Ember is different. She wants to be a part of Harvest Falls. She wants to make the fall celebrations better.

I guess when I see her, I see what I could’ve done, which makes it hurt so much more.

If only I could’ve stayed in the league long enough to get a bangin’ paycheck. If only I could’ve stayed in the league long enough to have a career so Sleepy Hollow Manor wouldn’t have been on my radar anyway. I would’ve only come home for special occasions, and not been worried one bit about the house and the well.

A semi-circle forms around my mother who steps on the bench of a picnic table. She’s nothing if not a good speechmaker, which is good for her since she takes every opportunity to talk about Harvest Falls and how special it is. She waits a little longer as more people drift toward her. Some with cups from Bea’s café. Some with Trav’s logo on it.

Mom peers out over everyone with a grin. “Here we are again, my friends. We’re at the start of another new season here at Harvest Falls!”

We applaud, and like usual, seeing my mom thrive settles like a deep comfort inside me. It wasn’t always easy for the two of us. She once told me that if my dad hadn’t left when I was little, there’s no way she would be mayor because she wouldn’t have found her voice. She wouldn’t have had to step up into a role where she completely took charge of our small family and made sure we had everything we needed, with a little help from Harvest Falls, of course.

So, when I see her like this, it’s easy to get emotional. I remember how broken she was when he left us. Even though I was little, I could feel it in her. I used to bring her my toys, hoping they would make her feel better, but the gesture usually only made her cry harder until one day, she just snapped out of it. She woke up, took a shower, dressed like I hadn’t seen her dress in months, and became the person she is standing in front of us right now.

“We’re blessed with the beauty surrounding us. The picturesque town we all take such pride in. Soon, we’ll be welcoming visitors from all over. They’ll fill our streets and our businesses.”

Bea whistles, and everyone laughs, even me.

“Yes, Miss Bea, they’ll be coming in dying for your fall concoctions, and then they’ll be heading to Travis’s to dine on that delicious pumpkin soup and maybe get a home brewed pumpkin ale.”

“Hear, hear,” Todd Russo calls out, holding up one of Trav’s cups, which is no doubt filled with Trav’s beer that he brews himself.

My mother goes on, finding business owners in the crowd and talking them up, getting everyone excited about what’s to come. It’s the middle of September now, but once October hits, we’re in for more tourism than we’ll see all year once the buses from the cities start arriving. Everyone wants a taste of a picturesque New England fall, and my mother was the smart one who capitalized on it.

“And to our newest Harvest Falls resident, Ember, I’m looking forward to seeing what you do with the great Sleepy Hollow Manor. I have high expectations, but I already know you’re going to blow them out of the water.”

My gaze zeroes in on Ember again. Her cheeks turn red, and she smiles, but it’s not genuine. It’s not the smile she had on her face when I fell through her porch. Behind it, there’s more emotion there, and for a moment, I catch myself wondering what it is. What has my mother said that made her feel…embarrassed? Worried?

Bea starts clapping, and the moment shrinks away when everyone else follows, including me. Ember stares at the ground for a moment and then peers up, her eyes finding mine. She’s almost surprised to see me standing there, but maybe even more surprised that I’m applauding for her. When her gaze drops to my hands, I stop.

Luckily, my mom commands attention again, wishing everyone a happy fall season and to come find her with issues or ideas. Trav moves away from me when it sounds like she’s wrapping it up. I follow with the paper and cardboard, and it’s my mom who trails right behind us to light the ceremonial bonfire.

Except not this time.

This time, she calls out, “Ember. Ember, Dear. Yes. Come here.”

My back stiffens, but everyone is watching, so I try to act aloof when Ember walks through the crowd, everyone parting for her.

My mother smiles as she appears in front of us. “I thought you should light the bonfire this year for some good luck in your new ventures!”

“That’s so thoughtful,” Ember says.